Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter issued a Proclamation of Winter Storm Event Saturday afternoon as a snowstorm began to dump as much as eight inches across the area from Saturday night through Sunday morning. (more…)

A storm bringing fierce wind and rain is expected to touch down in the area on Tuesday into Wednesday, just in time for Thanksgiving weekend.

The rainfall and winds – which could top 50 miles per hour – will hit on the busiest travel day of the year, as a storm heads up the east coast bringing a mix of snow and sleet to the lower part of the country.

Due to warmer temperatures, Long Island is not expected to get snow Tuesday or Wednesday, with heavy rain predicted to develop after 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The NWS has issued a wind advisory will be in effect starting at midnight and lasting for a full 24 hours.

According to the advisory, southern winds will typically carry between 25 and 35 miles per hour, with the strongest winds expected from late tonight into Wednesday evening. A 100 percent chance of rain is expected through Wednesday, with temperatures later cooling and a 40 percent chance of rain/snow on Thanksgiving.

On Tuesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a winter weather warning for motorists in advance of first major winter storm of the season, urging drivers to use caution while traveling during ice or snow conditions, and to arrange travel plans to avoid being on roadways during the storm.

“As New Yorkers are beginning to travel for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we are also preparing for the first major winter storm of the year which is expected to bring snow and ice to communities across the State,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. “Recognizing that the harsh weather as well as the increased use of roadways has the potential to cause serious inconvenience for motorists, I have directed the State’s transportation agencies to take all necessary preparations to be ready to clear roadways as quickly as possible.”

In addition to the slowdowns on the roadways, some of the country’s busiest airports in New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Boston are also bracing for delays, according to the Associated Press.

NYSDOT provides a travel advisory system that features real-time travel reports and can be accessed by phone at 511 or online at www.511ny.org. The Web site features a color-coded map indicating which state roads are snow covered, ice covered, wet, dry, or closed to help travelers determine if travel is advisable. The system provides real-time snow and ice conditions for interstates and other heavily traveled roads, as reported by snowplow operators.